Beta Trace Protein does not outperform Creatinine and Cystatin C in estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate in Older Adults

Despite intense research the optimal endogenous biomarker for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation has not been identified yet. We analyzed if ß-trace protein (BTP) improved GFR estimation in elderly. 566 participants aged 70+ from the population-based Berlin Initiative Study were included in a cross-sectional validation study. BTP, standardized creatinine and cystatin C were measured in participants with iohexol clearance measurement as gold standard method for measured GFR (mGFR). In a double logarithmic linear model prediction of mGFR by BTP was assessed. Analyses with BTP only and combined with creatinine and cystatin C were performed. Additionally, performance of GFR estimating equations was compared to mGFR. We found that the combination of all three biomarkers showed the best prediction of mGFR (r(2) = 0.83), whereat the combination of creatinine and cystatin C provided only minimally diverging results (r(2) = 0.82). Single usage of BTP showed worst prediction (r(2) = 0.67) within models with only one biomarker. Subgroup analyses (arterial hypertension, diabetes, body mass index ≤23 and >30) demonstrated a slight additional benefit of including BTP into the prediction model for diabetic, hypertensive and lean patients. Among BTP-containing GFR equations the Inker BTP-based equation showed superior performance. Especially the use of cystatin C renders the addition of BTP unnecessary.